This course is an introductory laboratory course which is designed to accompany or to complement Descriptive Astronomy or Introductory Astronomy (Astronomy 100 or 200). One of these courses or a similar course is a corequisite or a prerequisite for Introductory Observational Astronomy. Astronomy 231 may be used to satisfy the laboratory component of the general education requirement in physical science. Since the course is also a general introduction to practical astronomy it is also recommended for anyone interested in observational astronomy or in more advanced work in astronomy at Sonoma State University.
This course is organized around two main themes: First, familiarity with the sky; and second, an introduction to the actual techniques used by astronomers to obtain information about celestial objects. Each week we will discuss one or more topics related to these themes and then try to put into practice some of the underlying concepts. These practical applications may be indoors using existing data, or outdoors using data obtained from the sky. We will make extensive use of sky simulation software and telescope simulation software to explore the two main course themes. Specific recommendations for laboratory projects will be made each week, but individuals with special interests or backgrounds are free to establish their own goals in consultation with the instructor.
Organization
We will normally meet for the first hour each week for a lecture or demonstration on a
topic dealing with observational astronomy. The time following this hour will be used
for working on the laboratory projects. This laboratory work will normally be
undertaken in a University computer laboratory, or outside near the University Observatory.
Handouts describing the laboratory projects will normally be available at least one
week in advance. It will be expected that you will have read this material in advance
and that you will come to class ready to ask questions or to begin work on the projects.
Requirements
You should have available and bring to class each class meeting, a laboratory
notebook (for taking notes, recording data, analyzing data). For some laboratory
projects you may also need graph paper, a pencil, a pen, a metric ruler, a compass for
drawing circles, and a protractor for measuring angles.
Since much of astronomy involves the analysis of numerical data and since most astronomical theories are numerical in nature, you should expect that the laboratory projects will often require a certain amount of numerical computation. Thus, it will be desireable for you to have access to a hand held calculator in order to conveniently complete some of the laboratory projects.
Each student will be expected to work on a laboratory project each week and to document that work in the form of a laboratory report. You must prepare a summary or report of the laboratory work you have undertaken each week. For many projects a simple summary of your results will be sufficient as a report. However, many projects will require a formal laboratory reports which include a description of your goals and procedures, your project results, and a conclusion which includes your interpretation of your results. A separate document is available which outlines some Guidelines for Astronomy Laboratory Reports.
During the early weeks of the course, it is likely that you will need to review or become familiar with some definitions of some technical terms that pertain to the sky and the celestial sphere. You should find that we will often make use of these terms throughout the course.
Several laboratory projects may involve outdoor observing sessions and the reports for these must include a description and a sketch of what you have seen. In addition there will be several long term observational projects involving observations of constellations, the sun, the moon, or planets. Results for these observations should be kept in a separate location in your notebook.
Several laboratory projects will involve computer simulations of the sky and of astronomical telescopes and auxiliary instrumentation. These simulations make it possible to cover material that might otherwise be impossible due to unreliable weather conditions and the expense associated with travel and equipment maintenance.
Grades will be based on your laboratory reports and on my assesment of your utilization of sound scientific principles and laboratory techniques. (See the separate document on Essential Laboratory Concepts for further details.) Reports must be submitted for evaluation the week following the conclusion of a laboratory project. A penalty will be applied to late reports. Reports more than two weeks late will not be accepted.
Welcome! It is my hope that through this course you will become more familiar with the sky and will gain some insights about the nature of modern astronomy.
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